As Albania continues its journey toward EU integration, one story stands out its commitment to building a future-ready education and employment system powered by digital innovation and strategic partnerships.
A Nation Reimagining Its Future
Nestled along the Adriatic and Ionian seas, Albania has come a long way since its transition from communism in the 1990s. Today, it’s more than just a country in the Western Balkans it’s an emerging player in the European space, driving reform, resilience, and results.
With EU membership negotiations accelerating since 2023, Albania is closely aligning with European governance, and the ripple effects are visible across key sectors—especially in education and employment.
Resilience Meets Growth
After facing the twin shocks of a 2019 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic, Albania’s economy made a strong comeback registering an 8.9% growth in 2021. Today, sectors like tourism, construction, and digital services are pushing this momentum forward. Inflation, once peaking at 6.7% in 2022, is expected to stabilize at 3% by 2025. But one challenge remains: informal employment continues to represent a large slice of the job market.
A Smarter Education System
Education reform has become a national priority and it’s showing results. In the last two decades, Albania has transformed from one of the lowest performers in Europe to a country showing real improvement in both access and quality. The Human Development Index rose from 0.66 in 2000 to 0.79 in 2022.
Key to this progress is the National Strategy for Employment and Skills (2023–2030) a long-term roadmap focused on strengthening vocational education and training (VET), digital learning, and lifelong education for a future-fit workforce.
The Power of Partnerships: ETF and Albania
The European Training Foundation (ETF) has been one of Albania’s strongest allies in shaping an inclusive, quality-driven education system. Working together since 2000, the ETF supports the implementation of VET reforms, aligning them with EU frameworks such as the Osnabrück Declaration and the Torino Process.
Thanks to this partnership:
- VET qualifications have been modernized
- The Albanian Qualifications Framework (AQF) was established
- Teacher training and quality assurance systems have been strengthened
“We’re not just working on today’s needs we’re building a future-ready VET system that speaks the language of Europe,” says Romain Boitard, ETF Country Liaison Officer for Albania.
Youth Guarantee: A New Chapter for Employment
In 2023, Albania launched a pilot of the Youth Guarantee (YG)—a flagship EU initiative targeting young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Implemented by the National Agency for Employment and Skills (NAES), the pilot focuses on aligning education, employment, and social services in selected municipalities to offer tailored support.
“The ETF helped shape the Youth Guarantee with EU-level standards. Now, we’re actively connecting youth to real opportunities,” says Klevis Hysa, Director General of NAES.
Digital Tools Driving Teacher Transformation
One of the most impactful digital initiatives in 2024 is SELFIEforTeachers a tool developed under the EU’s Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans and rolled out by the ETF and European Commission’s Joint Research Centre.
The tool allows teachers to reflect on their digital competencies and identify areas for growth. In Albania, the results have been impressive:
- Over 570 vocational teachers have adopted the tool—almost half of all VET educators in the country
- Data insights are being used to plan tailored training and digital infrastructure investment
- A national roadmap for digitalisation in VET is being shaped using the findings
“SELFIEforTeachers has sparked a culture of digital reflection. It’s helping educators become more confident in using technology—and aligning our education system with EU standards,” says Ejvis Gishti, Director General of NAVETQ.
Looking Ahead
From reshaping vocational qualifications to piloting youth employment models, Albania is proving that reform, when combined with strong vision and collaboration can deliver real change.
Whether through cutting-edge digital tools or inclusive employment strategies, Albania is building the foundations of a knowledge-driven economy, aligned with EU values and ready for the next generation.
As ETF expert Alessandro Brolpito puts it:
“In its own way, SELFIEforTeachers and similar innovations are not just tools. They are milestones in Albania’s path to EU integration.”
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